Approaches to promote development and behavioral change

The Child Welfare Service's responsibility is to contribute to a better everyday life for children in demanding life situations. The effort takes place while the child or young person lives at home, with foster parents or in a residential care unit.

This course will deepen behavioral change and development support for children by emphasizing knowledge of psychological and social-pedagogical theories that apply to children's development, as well as research in this subject area. The course will also give students advanced knowledge on how they can assist children, their caretakers and professionals in creating a safe upbringing.

Knowledge - The student has:

• advanced knowledge of theories and research that apply to children and young people's development and how this knowledge sets guidelines for behavioral change and development support for children and families in demanding life situations.
• fundamental knowledge of family-based, network-involving and milieu therapeutic methods in intervention work.
• advanced knowledge of ethical professional practice.
• advanced knowledge of children's rights and rules for the use of coercive measures in relation to children living in institutions.
• advanced knowledge of managing behavioral change and development support in accordance with the soundness requirement.

Skills - The student can:

• analyze and document the needs of children and young people and implement relevant measures.
• apply advanced knowledge of emergency measures, relief measures, foster care work, aftercare, and environmental therapy.
• apply relevant methods to guide children and young people in learning, coping and behavioral change.
• work systematically to strengthen parents' care competence.
• apply relevant methods for guiding parents and foster parents after placement outside the home.
• analyze, and deal critically with, the role of child protection and the exercise of authority in alteration work.

General competence - The student can:

• analyze and critically, as well as ethically reflect on how attitudes, language and culture affect behavioral change in child protection.
• apply knowledge and skills to plan and carry out aid efforts in collaboration with children, caretakers, social networks, and professional bodies.
• contribute to new thinking and innovation processes in behavioral change and development support.

Lectures, practical work in learning groups, discussions, and self-study.